MGLSD launches mobile application to fight GBV in Serere
SERERE, September 28, 2023 – The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development [MGLSD] in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund [UNPFA], has rolled out an interactive mobile application to be used in reporting cases of gender based violence [GBV] in Serere district.
The digital platform dubbed SafePal was rolled out on Wednesday at the district headquarters and is intended to help the youth confidentially report GBV cases to service providers for help.
The rollout of the platform was witnessed by Serere district officials, religious leaders, police, civil society organisations, and cultural leaders, among others who are expected to utilise information as service providers.
Isaac Niwamanya, a systems administrator in the IT department in MGLSD, said the application can also be used to promote communication and exchange of information on sexual and reproductive health and rights and HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis.
He said SafePal has been helpful in other parts of Uganda SafePal have been launched nationally on September 23, 2020 by MGLSD. “I hope Serere starts utilising this application [SafePal], it has been so much helpful in other places,” he said.
Niwamanya urged all the leaders in Serere district to utilise the application to disseminate information to the intended beneficiaries but also quickly respond to information sent to them via the same mobile application.
Harriet Amoding, Senior Probation and Welfare Officer Serere district welcomed the new digital platform, saying it will encourage the youth to continue reporting cases without fear.
She noted that the mobile application can be used to get information from hard-to-reach areas. “It will help us report cases in areas where we cannot reach,” she said.
According to David Okure, the officer in charge of the child’s protection unit in Serere district, they receive 2-3 cases of violence against children. He said with the mobile application, perpetrators of violence will easily be identified.
SafePal was created in 2015 by a group of young people with support from UNFPA, to respond to the challenge of the low levels of reporting sexual violence.
According to government, sexual violence continues to remain a challenge in the country, with 22 percent of women having experienced it. “Sexual violence has diverse impacts on young people, including physical and mental health outcomes.”
Meanwhile,cases of sexual and gender-based violence reported through SafePal are linked to the MGLSD’s Sauti Child Helpline on Short code 116.
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